By 1960, the Central Waterfront was beginning to take on its current recreational character,[2] as shipping moved primarily to the container port in the Industrial District south of Downtown.

[3] In 1968, King County voters approved a Forward Thrust bond issue to acquire the land for the park, which was matched by federal money and augmented several other sources including Model Cities programs, and donations.

[2] Waterfront Park was closed in August 2020 by the city government after an inspection found a gap of "several inches" between Pier 58 and the land.

[6] During early work on removing Pier 58 on September 13, 2020, the central portion (including the bronze fountain) collapsed into Elliott Bay.

Two construction workers fell into the water and were rescued with minor injuries that were treated at Harborview Medical Center.

[9] The rebuilt pier will be triangular in shape and is planned to open in 2025 with a lawn and playground centered around a 18-foot (5.5 m) jellyfish structure.